Golf ball retrieval device

ABSTRACT

A golf ball retrieval device is disclosed that includes a plurality of claws are disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members extend transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and are arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, in which the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in a first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in a second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/611,669 filed on Dec. 29, 2017.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to golf, and more particularly,to a golf ball retrieval device.

Golfers may hit an errant shot in which the golf ball lands in difficultto retrieve areas, such as water hazards, bushes and the like. Currentgolf ball retrieval devices include an elongated pole and a cup at theend. However, these retrieval devices may only allow a user to retrieveone ball at a time. Moreover, a user may find the current golf ballretrieval devices to be cumbersome and difficult to operate.

SUMMARY

In one or more scenarios, the disclosed technology relates to A ballretrieval device, the device comprising: a plurality of claws disposedadjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of theplurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least onepivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members, eachextending transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws andarranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, whereby theplurality of claws are movable relative to one another between acollapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a lockingmechanism which is movable between at least a first position and asecond position, the locking mechanism configured to secure theplurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the lockingmechanism in the first position, and to secure the plurality of claws inthe expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in the secondposition; wherein the plurality of claws in the collapsed configurationare spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and in theexpanded configuration are spaced apart from each other a seconddistance which is greater than the first distance.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventiveconcepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use inconjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a first example of a golf ballretrieval device in an open position.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the golf ball retrieval devicein a closed position.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of the golf ball retrieval device in anopen position.

FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the golf ball retrieval device in aclosed position.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an outer claw of the golf ballretrieval device.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view with the outer claw of FIG. 4A removedto show details of an inner claw of the golf ball retrieval device.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a second example of the golfball retrieval device in a locked and open position.

FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the golf ball retrieval devicein an unlocked and open position.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the golf ball retrieval devicein a locked and closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion omits or only briefly describes conventionalfeatures of golf ball retrieval devices, which are apparent to thoseskilled in the art. It is noted that various embodiments are describedin detail with reference to the drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the severalviews. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theclaims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in thisspecification are intended to be non-limiting and merely set forth someof the many possible embodiments for the appended claims. Further,particular features described herein can be used in combination withother described features in each of the various possible combinationsand permutations.

Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be giventheir broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied fromthe specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in theart and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. It must also benoted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unlessotherwise specified, and that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presenceor addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to golf, and moreparticularly, to a golf ball retrieval device. Embodiments of the golfball retrieval device are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a first example of a golf ballretrieval device 100 (hereinafter “device 100”) in an open position.FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of the device 100 in an open position.

The device 100 includes a handle mechanism, a locking mechanism, and aretrieval mechanism.

The handle mechanism may include a handle receiver 112 a configured toreceive and fasten an elongated tubular handle such as a rake handle, tothe device 100. In one or more embodiments, the handle mechanism mayinclude a folding joint 112 configured to rotate 114 about one or moretensioner portions, such as tensioner portion 118 a and tensionerportion 118 b. The tensioner portions 118 a and 118 b may each becylindrical tubular disc like members that may be positioned on oppositesides of the folding joint 112. The tensioner portions 118 a and 118 bmay be configured to hold the folding joint 112 in a position that canbe set by a user. The tensioner portions 118 a and 118 b may eachreceive a portion of a tensioner 116. The tensioner 116 may pass throughthe tensioner portion 118 b and the folding joint 112 and fasten to aportion tensioner portion 118 a. The portion of the tensioner portion118 a configured to receive and fasten to the tensioner 116 may bethreaded to correspond to a threaded end of the tensioner 116. Thetensioner portions 118 a and 118 b may be compressed towards one anotheror decompressed away from one another by tightening or loosening atensioning handle 116 a on a portion 116 b of the tensioner 116. Thetensioning handle 116 a may be a type of knob, handle, nut, such as awing nut, or other type of tensioning handle known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. For example, a user may decompress the tensionerportions 118 a and 118 b by rotating the tensioning handle 116 a, suchas a wing nut, in a counterclockwise direction. Having reduced thecompression on the tensioner portions 118 a and 118 b, the user may setthe folding joint 112 in a rotation position, for example in a directionparallel with the pivot link support portion 130, and tighten thetensioning handle 116 a in a clockwise direction in order to compressthe tensioner portions 118 a and 118 b and hold the folding joint 112 inthe position set by the user. In one or more scenarios, the pivot linksupport portion 130 is an elongated rigid structure integrally formedwith a claw.

In one or more scenarios, the locking mechanism may include an openposition locking portion 106, a closed position locking portion 108, anda key portion 110 coupled to at least two pivot links, such as the firstpivot link 102 a and the second pivot link 102 b. The open positionlocking portion 106 and the closed position locking portion 108 may beelongated rigid structures coupled to the central claw 140. The keyportion 110 is a cross-member extending in the transverse direction T1of the device 100. The key portion 110 may be an elongated rigidstructure having a first end 110 a opposed to a second end 110 b. Forthe instances in which the device 100 is configured in the openposition, the key portion 110 is configured to interlock with the openposition locking portion 106. For the instances in which the device 100is configured in the closed position, the key portion 110 is configuredto interlock with the closed position locking portion 108. In one ormore scenarios, the first end 110 a of the key portion 110 is pivotablycoupled to an end of the first pivot link 102 a, and the second end 110b of the key portion 110 is pivotably coupled to an end of the secondpivot link 102 b.

In one or more scenarios, first pivot joint link 102 a, the second pivotjoint link 102 b, the third pivot joint link 104 a, and the fourth pivotjoint link 104 b are rigid elongated link structures. The first pivotlink 102 a and the second pivot link 102 b are pivotably coupled to athird pivot link 104 a and a fourth pivot link 104 b, respectively. Thefirst pivot link 102 a and the second pivot link 102 b are each coupledto intermediate portions 104 c and 104 d of the third pivot link 104 aand the fourth pivot link 104 b, respectively. The intermediationportions 104 c and 104 d of the third pivot joint link 104 a and thefourth pivot joint link 104 b may each be disposed between two ends ofthe third pivot joint link 104 a and the fourth pivot joint link 104 b,respectively.

For the instances in which the device 100 is configured in the openposition, the third pivot link 104 a and the fourth pivot link 104 bextend in the transverse direction T1 of the device 100. The distal end104 e of the third pivot link 104 a may be pivotably coupled to theouter claw 142 a. The distal end 104 f of the fourth pivot link 104 bmay be pivotably coupled to the outer claw 142 d. The proximal ends 104g of the third pivot link 104 a and the fourth pivot link 104 b may eachinclude a pivot link coupling portion, such as pivot link couplingportion 134 a and pivot link coupling portion 134 b. The pivot linkcoupling portions 134 a and 134 b may each be notched forming notchedends 134 c and 134 d. The pivot link coupling portion 134 a and thepivot link coupling portion 134 b may be configured to rest on oneanother such that the top surface 134 e of the third pivot link 104 aand the top surface 134 f of the fourth pivot link 104 b lie on the sameplane. A pivot member, such as pivot member 138, may be used topivotably couple the third pivot link 104 a and the fourth pivot link104 b at the pivot link coupling portions 134 a and 134 b and to thecentral claw 140.

In one or more scenarios, a fifth pivot link 132 a and a sixth pivotlink 132 b are rigid elongated link structures. The fifth pivot link 132a and the sixth pivot link 132 b are pivotably coupled to one another.The fifth pivot link 132 a is pivotably coupled to at least one of theouter claw 142 a, the inner claw 142 b, and the central claw 140. Thedistal end 132 c of the fifth pivot link 132 a may be pivotably coupledto the outer claw 142 a. The intermediate portion 132 d of the fifthpivot link 132 a may be pivotably coupled to the inner claw 142 b. Thesixth pivot link 132 b is pivotably coupled to at least one of the outerclaw 142 d, the inner claw 142 c, and the central claw 140. The distalend 132 e of the sixth pivot link 132 b may be pivotably coupled to theouter claw 142 d. The intermediate portion 132 f of the sixth pivot link132 b may be pivotably coupled to the inner claw 142 c. The intermediateportions 132 d and 132 f may each be disposed between two ends of thefifth pivot link 132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 b, respectively.

For the instances in which the device 100 is configured in the openposition, the fifth pivot link 132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 bextend in the transverse direction T1 of the device 100. The proximalends of the fifth pivot link 132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 b mayeach include a pivot link coupling portion, such as pivot link couplingportion 136 a and pivot link coupling portion 136 b. The pivot linkcoupling portion 136 a and the pivot link coupling portion 136 b mayeach be notched forming notched ends. The pivot link coupling portion136 a and the pivot link coupling portion 136 b may be configured torest on one another such that the top surfaces of the fifth pivot link132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 b lie on the same plane. A pivotmember, such as pivot member 138, may be used to pivotably couple thefifth pivot link 132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 b at the pivot linkcoupling portions and to the central claw 140.

In one or more scenarios, the underside of each claw may include one ormore additional support portions 124. The additional support portions124 may be configured to receive additional pivot links, in which anadditional pivot link is configured to be pivotably coupled to at leasttwo claws in a similar manner as described with respect to the thirdpivot link 104 a, fourth pivot link 104 b, fifth pivot link 132 a,and/or sixth pivot link 132 b.

In one or more scenarios, a pivot member 138 b may pivotably couple thethird pivot joint link 104 a to the outer claw 142 a. In one or morescenarios, the pivot member 138 f may pivotably couple the fifth pivotlink 132 a to the outer claw 142 a. In one or more scenarios, the pivotmember 138 b may pivotably couple the fifth pivot link 132 a to theinner claw 142 b. In one or more scenarios, the pivot member 138 f maypivotably couple the fifth pivot link 132 a, and/or sixth pivot link 132b to the central claw 140. In one or more scenarios, the pivot member138 c may pivotably couple the third pivot joint link 104 a, and/orfourth pivot joint link 104 b to the central claw 140. In one or morescenarios, the pivot member 138 e may pivotably couple the sixth pivotlink 132 b to the inner claw 142 c. In one or more scenarios, a pivotmember 138 a may pivotably couple the sixth pivot link 132 b to theouter claw 142 d. In one or more scenarios, a pivot member 138 d maypivotably couple the fourth pivot joint link 104 b to the outer claw 142d. The pivot member 138 may allow the respective pivot joint link and/orlinks to pivot around the respective pivot member 138. The pivot member138 may include a head configured to be rotated via a screwdriver,wrench, or other fastening tool known to one of ordinary skill in theart; an unthreaded portion configured to allow the respective pivot linkto rotate about the pivot member 138; and a threaded portion configuredto be fastened into a threaded portion of the respective claw. In somescenarios, one or more threaded portions may be included within thepivot link support portion 130 of each claw.

In one or more scenarios, the open position locking portion 106 includesa locking tab 302 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction L1 of thedevice 100 towards the handle mechanism. The locking tab 302 may be arigid lip structure extending from a notched portion 106 a. In one ormore scenarios, the closed position locking portion 106 includes alocking tab 304 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction L1 of thedevice away from the handle mechanism. The locking tab 304 may be arigid lip structure extending from a notched portion 106 b. The notchedportions 106 a and 106 b may each be configured to receive at least aportion of the key portion 110. In one or more scenarios, at least aportion of the key portion 110 is configured to fit within the notchedportions 106 a and 106 b of the locking tabs 302 and 304. In somescenarios, the open position locking portion 106 and the closed positionlocking portion 108 may be two separate components each attached to thecentral claw 140. In other scenarios, the open position locking portion106 and the closed position locking portion 108 may be one singularcomponent that is attached to the central claw 140. The locking tabs 304and 304 may be configured in a variety of shapes, sizes, and/ordimensions.

In one or more embodiments, to transition the device 100 from a closedposition to an open position, a user may pull the key portion 110 out ofthe notched portion 106 b of the locking tab 304, pull and/or push thekey portion 110 towards the open position locking portion 106, such asin the direction of 306, and insert the key portion 110 into the notchedportion 106 a of the locking tab 302. As the key portion 110 is movedtowards the open position locking portion 106, the claws pivot about thepivot members and the claws expand away from one another. In the openposition, the claws are in an expanded form. The claws may be parallelwith one another and form a retrieval portion 120 between each set ofclaws. For example, the inner claw 142 c and the outer claw 142 d form aretrieval portion 120, and the inner claw 142 b and the outer claw 142 afrom another retrieval portion 120.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the device 100 in a closedposition. FIG. 3B illustrates a top view of the device 100 in a closedposition.

In one or more scenarios, to transition the device 100 from an openposition to a closed position, a user may pull the key portion 110 outof the notched portion 106 a of the locking tab 302, pull and/or pushthe key portion 110 towards the closed position locking portion 108,such as in the direction of 308, and insert the key portion 110 into thenotched portion 106 b of the locking tab 304. As the key portion 110 ismoved towards the closed position locking portion 108, the claws pivotabout the pivot members and the claws mover towards one another. In oneor more scenarios, the claws are in a compressed form in the closedposition. In the closed position, the claws may be arranged in astaggered manner, such that the third pivot link 104 a and the fourthpivot link 104 b are arranged in a V-shape, and/or the fifth pivot link132 a and the sixth pivot link 132 b are arranged in a V-shape. In somescenarios, in the closed position, the side surfaces of the claws maycontact one another in the compressed form. In other scenarios, in theclosed position, the claws may be positioned near one another such thatthe claws are in a compressed form and the side surfaces of the claws donot contact one another.

FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of an outer claw, such as outer claw 142a or 142 d, of the device 100. FIG. 4B illustrates a side view with theouter claw removed to show details of an inner claw, such as inner claw142 b or 142 c, of the device 100.

In one or more scenarios, the claws may each be a V-shaped rigidstructure. The claws may be formed in one or more other rigid shapedstructures that can efficiently trap a ball between two adjacent claws.The outer claws 142 a and 142 d each include a ball holding track 128.In one or more scenarios, the ball holding track 128 may include a rim402 that protrudes away from the outer surface 404 of the outer claw andprotrudes from the inner surface 406 of the outer claw towards thecentral claw 140. The ball holding track 128 may define an area on theinner surface 406 of the claw in which material is removed, therebycreating a space in the sidewall of the claw. The ball holding track 128includes a space in which a portion of a ball may be positioned. Theouter claws 142 a and 142 d each include a jagged portion 414 havingsimilar features to the jagged portion 414 of the inner claws 142 b and142 c.

In one or more other scenarios, the ball holding track 128 may includethe rim 402 that is positioned on the inner surface 406 and thatprotrudes towards the central claw 140. The ball holding track 128 maydefine an area on the inner surface 406 of the claw in which there is nospace in the sidewall of the claw, rather, the rim 402 protrudes farenough from the inner surface 406 towards an adjacent inner claw to holdone or more balls.

In one or more scenarios, the inner claws 142 b and 142 c include a ballholding portion 126. The ball holding portion 126 may be a C-shapedsurface extending from a jagged portion 414 of an inner claw to thepivot link support portion 130. The ball holding portion 126 may includea first curved portion 416 a, a flat portion 416 b, and a second curvedportion 416 c, in which the first curved portion 416 a is disposed onone end of the flat portion 416 b and the second curved portion 416 c isdisposed on the opposing end of the flat portion 416 b. Two adjacentball holding portion, such as ball holding portion 126 and ball holdingportion 126 a, may be spaced far enough apart such that a portion of aball may rest in between the two adjacent ball holding portions. Forexample, a portion of the ball may rest in between two flat portions 416b; two first curved portions 416 a; two second curved portions 416 c; orone or more combinations of the aforementioned. Two adjacent ballholding portions may be configured to hold one or more balls. Forexample, the ball holding portion 126 and the ball holding portion 126 amay hold 1 to 7 golf balls.

In one or more scenarios, as the device 100 or 500 is dragged, a ballenters the ball retrieval portion 120 and at least a portion of the balltravels in between two adjacent angular portions 412. The ball maytravel along the adjacent angular portions 412 until the ball traversesthe adjacent jagged portions 414 and falls towards the adjacent ballholding portions, such as ball holding portion 126 and ball holdingportion 126 a. A portion of a ball may rest in between the two adjacentball holding portions.

For the scenarios in which a ball travels along an angular portion 412of an inner claw, such as inner claw 142 c, and an angular portion 412of an outer claw, such as outer claw 142 d, the ball may traverse thejagged portions 414 and a portion of the ball may fall in between theball holding portion 126 and the ball holding track 128. The ballholding track 128 is configured to prevent one or more balls fromexiting a respective side of the device 100, such as side 144 a or side144 b. The top rail 402 a of the rim 402 is configured to hold a ball inthe ball holding portion 126. For example, the ball holding track 128 ofthe outer claw 142 d may prevent a ball from exiting side 144 a, therebyretaining the ball within the ball holding portion 126.

In one or more embodiments, the central claw 140 includes one or morefeatures of the inner claws 142 b and 142 c. Moreover, the length of thepivot link support portion 130 a of the central claw 140 is greater thanthe length of the pivot link support portion 130 of the other claws. Inone or more embodiments, the pivot link support portion 130 a of thecentral claw 140 is coupled to the handle mechanism. Portions of thefolding joint 112 are configured to fit on at least two sides of thepivot link support portion 130 a of the central claw 140. The tensionerportions 118 a and 118 b may be positioned on each of the outermostsides of the folding joint 112.

In one or more embodiments, the device 100 includes the central claw 140and the outer claws 142 a and 142 b, and does not include the innerclaws 142 b and 142 c.

In one or more embodiments, the claws each have a tine portion 122 on anend of the claw. The tine portion 122 may be a rigid triangularstructure including a pointed end 410 and an angular portion 412. Thepointed end 410 may be configured to rake a surface. The angular portion412 may provide an additional portion of the claw in which to rake thesurface. In some scenarios, the angular portion 412 may have an arcedshape surface or a flat planar surface. The tine portion 122 of eachclaw may form a rake. For example, a user may position the tine portions122 in a sand trap and drag the device 100 in a direction to rake thesand trap. The user can also rotate the folding joint 112 to adjust theangle and/or position in which tine portions 122 contact a groundsurface, such as a sand trap.

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a second example of the golfball retrieval device 500 (hereinafter “device 500”) in a locked andopen position. FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric view of the device 500 inan unlocked and open position. FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view ofthe device 500 in a locked and closed position.

The device 500 includes a handle mechanism, a locking mechanism 502, anda retrieval mechanism. The handle mechanism includes a folding joint 508that is configured to receive and fasten an elongated tubular handle tothe device 500.

In one or more scenarios, the retrieval mechanism includes a pluralityof claws. The plurality of claws may include a central claw 506 a andsecondary claws, such as claws 506 b, 506 c, 506 d, and 506 e, disposedon either side and in parallel with the central claw 506 a. The centralclaw 506 a may be pivotably coupled to the folding joint 508 and maypivot along a horizontal axis relative to the folding joint 508. Thesecondary claws may be pivotably coupled to one another and/or to thecentral claw 506 a by one or more pivot links 510. The pivot links 510facilitate a pivot operation whereby the secondary claws pivot to anexpanded form in which the central claw and secondary claws are spacedapart, such as in the open position. The pivot links 510 may allow thesecondary claws to pivot to a compressed form in which the central clawand secondary claws are compressed together, such as in the closedposition.

In one or more scenarios, the claws 506 c and 506 e are similar to theouter claws 142 a and 142 d, which include a ball holding track 128. Theclaws 506 a and 506 b may be pivotably coupled together by the pivotlinks 510 a and 510 b. A pivot link 510 may be a rigid elongated linkingmember having a first end 518 opposed to a second end 520. The first end518 may connect to a claw, such as claw 506 e, by a first pivot member512 and may rotate about a longitudinal axis of the first pivot member512. The first pivot member 512 may include one or more features of thepivot member 138. A second pivot member 514 may protrude from the secondend 520 of the pivot link 510 towards an adjacent claw, such as claw 506d. The second pivot member 514 may be an elongated rigid structureconfigured to be disposed within a slot 516 of the adjacent claw. In oneor more scenarios, an adjacent claw may be connected by two or morepivot links 510. For these instances in which the device 500 istransferring from a collapsed form to an expanded form, the first end512 of a pivot link 510 may rotate simultaneously as the second pivotmember 514 of the pivot link 510 slides downward within the slot 516.For the instances in which the device 500 is transferring from theexpanded form to the collapsed form, the first end 512 of the pivot link510 may rotate simultaneously as the second pivot member 514 slideupwards within the slot 516. In one or more other scenarios, the clawsof the device 500 include one or more features and/or arrangements ofthe claws of the device 100 described above.

The locking mechanism 502 may be attached to the folding joint 508, thecentral claw 506 a, or both. The locking mechanism 502 may include ahandle portion 504. In some scenarios, the handle portion 504 may be arigid structure configured to rotate about the folding joint 508. Thehandle portion 504 may be formed in a U-shape. When the claws are to bereturned to a collapsed form, the handle portion 504 and the lockingmechanism 502 may pivot downwards in a direction 534. When positioned inthis way, the interior surfaces 522 of the locking mechanism 502 may fitover a portion of outer surfaces 524 the outermost claws 506 c and 506 eof the retrieval mechanism. The claws are returned in a locked andclosed position, as shown in FIG. 7. When the handle portion 504 and thelocking mechanism 502 are pivoted upwards in a direction 536, the clawstransition from the collapsed form to an expanded form, thereby movingthe claws into an unlocked and open position. While the claws are in anexpanded form, the handle portion 504 and the locking mechanism 502 maypivot downwards in the direction 534. This will result in the exteriorsurfaces 526 of the locking mechanism 502 fitting over a portion of theinterior surfaces 528 of claws 506 b and 506 d adjacent to the centralclaw 506 a. Consequently the claws will be returned in a locked and openposition, as shown in FIG. 5. In some scenarios, the handle portion 504includes one or more stopping members 530 configured to overlap aportion of claws 506 b and 506 d when the device 500 is in the lockedand open position. A stopping member 530 may be a rigid structure formedon an outer surface of the handle portion 504. A portion of the stoppingmember 530 is configured to overlap a claw extends in the direction ofthe outermost claw. For instance, the portion of the stopping member 530configured to overlap a portion of claw 506 b extends outwards towardsclaw 506 c. In one or more scenarios, a spring may be included in thehandle portion 504. The spring may be configured to bias the lockingmechanism 502 in the downwards direction 534 in the locked and openposition. A user may pull the locking mechanism 502 in the upwardsdirection 536 away from the claws against the bias of the spring, andthe claws may pivot away from one another to the expanded form.

In one or more scenarios, the device 500 includes the central claw 506 aand the outer claws 506 c and 506 e and does not include the inner clawsadjacent to the central claw 506 a.

In one or more scenarios, the device 100 and the device 500 may becomprised of a variety of materials, including but not limited to wood;metal; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene; polymer plastics; syntheticpolymers such as polyvinyl alcohol; nylon; high-density polyethylene;polyethylene terephthalate; wood filament; metal filament; and carbonfiber filament.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ball retrieval device, the device comprising: a plurality of claws disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members, each extending transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, whereby the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism which is movable between at least a first position and a second position, the locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in the first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in the second position; wherein the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and in the expanded configuration are spaced apart from each other a second distance which is greater than the first distance.
 2. The ball retrieval device of claim 1, further comprising a handle mechanism including a handle receiver which is configured to receive an elongated handle.
 3. The ball retrieval device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of claws includes a ball holding track structure which extends along an elongated length of the claw and is configured for retaining one or more golf balls therein.
 4. The ball retrieval device according to claim 3, wherein the second distance is configured to allow a golf ball to be snugly received between adjacent ones of the plurality of claws.
 5. The ball retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elongated rigid link members is arranged to pivot on at least one pivot member of a first claw of the plurality of claws, the first claw disposed centrally with respect to the plurality of claws.
 6. The ball retrieval device according to claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of elongated rigid link members is arranged to pivot on pivot member associated with at least two additional claws other than the first claw.
 7. The ball retrieval device according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of elongated control link members, each pivotally coupled at a first end to one of the elongated rigid link members, and at a second end to a key portion of the locking mechanism.
 8. The ball retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of elongated link members is arranged to pivot on only two of the plurality of claws.
 9. The ball retrieval device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of claws comprise a tine portion on an end of the respective claw.
 10. A ball retrieval device, the device comprising: a plurality of claws disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members, each extending transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, whereby the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism which is movable between at least a first position and a second position, the locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in the first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in the second position; wherein the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and in the expanded configuration are spaced apart from each other a second distance which is greater than the first distance, and wherein each of the plurality of elongated rigid link members is arranged to pivot on at least one pivot member of a first claw of the plurality of claws, the first claw disposed centrally with respect to the plurality of claws.
 11. The ball retrieval device according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of elongated rigid link members is arranged to pivot on pivot member associated with at least two additional claws other than the first claw.
 12. The ball retrieval device according to claim 10, further comprising a plurality of elongated control link members, each pivotally coupled at a first end to one of the elongated rigid link members, and at a second end to a key portion of the locking mechanism.
 13. The ball retrieval device according to claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of claws comprise a tine portion on an end of the respective claw.
 14. A ball retrieval device, the device comprising: a plurality of claws disposed adjacent to one another and aligned in a first direction, each of the plurality of claws including a coupling portion to which at least one pivot member is fixed; a plurality of elongated rigid link members, each extending transversely between two or more of the plurality of claws and arranged to pivot on two or more of the pivot members, whereby the plurality of claws are movable relative to one another between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a locking mechanism which is movable between at least a first position and a second position, the locking mechanism configured to secure the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration when the locking mechanism in the first position, and to secure the plurality of claws in the expanded configuration when the locking mechanism is in the second position; wherein the plurality of claws in the collapsed configuration are spaced apart from each other by a first distance, and in the expanded configuration are spaced apart from each other a second distance which is greater than the first distance, and wherein each of the plurality of elongated link members is arranged to pivot on only two of the plurality of claws.
 15. The ball retrieval device according to claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of claws comprise a tine portion on an end of the respective claw. 